Have you had mouth ulcers before? I am sure the feeling is terrible. For me, it affects the way I eat. Food become difficult to chew and taste not quite the same, at times I have to turn sideway to avoid contacting with the sore spots. For most times, I would use salt water to rinse the mouth. On other occasions, I would use the toothbrush with some salt on it and brush onto the wound (not recommended for all). That of course is painful for a while but most times it get healed much faster.

I do a lot of training in schools so if anything affects my public speaking, I see to it that it gets resolved soonest possible. Lately, I tried that on one but it backfires for the first time. I thought it would healed faster like before but hell no, it got worse and the next day, when I see into the mirror, the ulcer has spread to a elongated shape (following the pattern of my toothbrushing). I was devastated and rinse the mouth with salt water several times a day.

I also had some cold spells (not sure if it was the swim with my kids) in my body added on. So, I boiled water with ginger slices into it and drank the whole part to expel the "coldness" in my body. Of course, my prayers help the most !

I am quickly reminded of an article I wrote quite some time ago about "Out of mind, out of sight". You see, as these ulcers are inside the mouth and not visible from our eyes, I got preoccupied with other things and totally forgot about it. The more I do not see the wound in the mirror, somehow miraculously, it heals better.

When you do not think about something (say a problem that bothers you), it quickly disappear from your sight/attention.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.2 Corinthians 4.18

The future of what we want - ulcers recovered is that part which is unseen and what is seen - the ulcers when we look into the mirror is nothing but temporary phase. So, it makes perfect sense to give it as little or no attention as possible. That includes not thinking, whining or viewing it in the mirror. That is not to say one ignores the treatment of the wound. On the contrary, I increase the rinsing, stay away from my favourite spicy food and fried rice or tofu. I make a conscious attempt to drink more water than before.

Thank you Lord for I am made perfect in your creation! I am going to change the wordings I used to pray from now on. The words - heal, to be healed,etc means that the body was dysfunctional to begin with, certain parts that need to be healed, restored,etc. That goes contrary to what God creates us from the beginning.

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1.26

If we are created in God's image, then we cannot be sick or injured in a spiritual sense. So, the more we dwell into our sickness, injuries in the physical sense, then we are using the power of Man to resolve it. That is limited power.

John 7:24 - Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Appearance is what we men use our human eyes to judge, which means we draw conclusions on what's happening based on the circumstances we are in. If you are out of job, lack of money, lost a relationship, health impaired, etc, don't you tend to blame it on your circumstances ?Did you not say things like;"If only I am born in a family with xxx, then I would be better!"

Recently, I had a eczema attack which was on one of my calf and around the toes area for another leg. Imagine the difficulties in walking with the sandals. On top of it ,I had foot fungus as well. Like a conspiracy, all 3 came about the same time. Argh.............

Of course, I am frustrated and unhappy but soon I realised losing my emotional control would means surrendering to these evil diseases and I am not going to let them win! My thoughts affect what I would say to myself and then churn the corresponding actions. So, despite the weepy wounds, I took up the courage and wrap it up with a bandage and head for the road. It was an excellent run and on the journey, I kept telling myself I am perfect , constantly reminding myself not to keep checking out the wounds. In the army, we learn to camouflage ourselves so as not to be seen by our enemies. It is the same here, we must not expose ourselves to the injuries, the matters that bother us but instead conceal it.

Again, this is not an attempt to avoid it , procrastinating or being lazy about resolving it. Instead, treat it as a constructive way of turning the situation around. Do not make it the first topic when you catch up with your friends/ loved ones. Did you catch yourself saying:" You know, this and that happened to me lately, ain't I unlucky?"

You might think you need an outlet to let go the negative emotions but confessing it (complain and ruminating about it) only make the matters worse. You enlarge the problem, magnify it and attempt to use own intelligence to solve it. You asked question like :"why me, God?" Your mood is down and you become lethargic , not wanting to do anything. Your state of mind is negative and that starts a whole vicious cycle.

I am grateful I read a blog on treating eczema lately and tried some of the recommended ideas such as using vinegar and applying moisturisers onto it. It lessens the pain definitely and I kept praying for the perfect body that God has created in me. If I am perfect, then eczema has no place in my body, it has to leave sooner rather than later.

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5.48

I now understand better, we bear the genes of our father, as he is perfect, so are we.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1.2-4

This verse is probably one of the hardest to stomach for most people (myself included on many occasions).How can we stay joyful in moments of our trials? It seems contradictory. The trials that we had were disguised or packaged as a test of our faith. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11.1

​Think deeper. If we are confident in what we hope for - good health, money, relationship, then would we be sad, angry, frustrated,etc ? Again, see not in your human eyes but cast your net wider and further. The future is bright and the solution is already here. This part means the most to me since it affects how I pray and how many prayed as well.

To ask God to heal us - to be healed, to ask God for more money - to have money, etc is to imply that we do not have (signs of lack) all these things in the first place. But are we not created in perfect health, prosperity, etc? If this statement holds truth, then where is the lack coming from?

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe thatyou have received it,and it will be yours. Mark 11.24-25

Read this verse as many times as possible (I am humbled and reminded to visit this verse again and again in my tribulations). It says you have received it not WILL BE RECEIVING! Not something coming in the near future like a queue in progress (my initial thoughts about this verse). To bring the future (what you want) to the now ,the present moment (experience it all our senses - see, hear, touch, feel and taste). When the feeling becomes second nature, then our reality would have expressed what we asked for. So, I would stop asking God to heal me, to provide me with more money, with more opportunities, etc but rather simply thanking him for all the gifts (all that I want has come true).